Gemotions

The weight of the conversation felt insurmountable. "So, you're… happy?" Leo asked, the words feeling foreign, clunky in his mouth. He knew he'd been rambling, trying to navigate the social minefield of the reception, but standing face-to-face with Maya felt like navigating a tight hallway.

She tilted her head, a familiar gesture that sent a jolt through him. "I am. What about you?" The question hung in the air, a verbal tether. He desperately wanted to shrug, to laugh it off, but the words wouldn't come. He found himself answering, giving information he didn't want to provide.

The walls of the wedding felt like they were closing in. He felt the need to apologize, to leave, to do anything to escape the weight of the moment. He looked down at his shoes, at the intricate pattern on the carpet; it felt like he was unable to move.